2nd Circuit Court wins award for tenth time

The award recognizes courts for "their excellence in service to children and families." (Louis Finley/KTVO)

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. —

On Monday, a representative from the Missouri State Supreme Court presented the Permanency Award to the 2nd Circuit Court at the Adair County Courthouse.

This is the tenth time the court has received the award from the Office of State Courts.

The award recognizes courts for "their excellence in service to children and families."

“When you're five years old and it takes a year to have your case heard, that's a long time in the life of a five-year-old. We want to make sure we have timely hearings so that we review the circumstances that this child finds themselves in," said 2nd Circuit Court Judge Russell Steele.

With the court’s nearly 500 hearings this past year, Judge Steele said 100 percent are completed within the state-mandated time.